Multiple Choice
Which element is a member of the nitrogen family (Group 15) and has 16 neutrons?
1
views
2. Atoms & Elements
Periodic Table: Group Names
Struggling with General Chemistry?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which element, a member of the carbon family (Group 14), is commonly mistaken for the material at the end of a pencil?
A
Carbon (C)
B
Silicon (Si)
C
Lead (Pb)
D
Tin (Sn)
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the elements listed in the problem and note their group in the periodic table. The carbon family corresponds to Group 14, which includes Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Lead (Pb), and Tin (Sn).
Understand the common misconception: the material at the end of a pencil is often called 'lead,' but it is not actually lead (Pb). Instead, it is made of carbon in the form of graphite.
Recall that graphite is an allotrope of carbon, meaning it is a different structural form of the same element, which is why pencils use carbon rather than lead metal.
Recognize that Silicon (Si) and Tin (Sn) are also in Group 14 but are not related to pencil 'lead' material.
Conclude that the element commonly mistaken for the pencil material is Lead (Pb), but the correct element in the carbon family used in pencils is Carbon (C).
5:33mWatch next
Master Periodic Table: Group Names with a bite sized video explanation from Jules
Start learningRelated Videos
Related Practice
Periodic Table: Group Names practice set
Problem sets built by lead tutorsExpert video explanations